## UNIGRID Secures $2.9M for Sodium-ion Battery Plant in San Diego
UNIGRID, Inc. has received a $2.9 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The funding comes through the Realizing Accelerated Manufacturing and Production for Clean Energy Technologies (RAMP) program. This initiative is designed to propel innovative clean energy technologies toward larger-scale production. The project will establish a pilot production unit for sodium-ion batteries.
### Advancing Sodium-Ion Technology
The facility, spanning 12,000 square feet, will be located in Sorrento Valley, San Diego. UNIGRID plans to design, build, and validate a Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) line for Sodium-ion Battery cells. This line is expected to achieve annual production volumes at the megawatt-hour (MWh) scale. A key feature of this initiative is that the pilot line will serve as a testbed for scaling up UNIGRID’s battery technology, which the company describes as highly secure.
The sodium-ion batteries developed use no critical materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, or copper. They are built to operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 60°C. Additionally, these batteries can sustain up to 10,000 full charge-discharge cycles at 100% depth of discharge. Impressively, they recharge in 15 minutes and can be fully discharged in just five minutes.
### Reducing Global Supply Chain Risks
UNIGRID’s shift toward sodium-ion technology emerges as a solution to mitigate supply chain risks. As Lithium-ion battery production faces geopolitical pressures and material shortages, sodium-ion batteries offer an alternative free of scarce materials. The cells have successfully passed international standards such as UN 38.3 and UL 9540A, ensuring safe transportation and integration into energy storage systems.
Chief Technology Officer Erik A. Wu, who is also the Principal Investigator for the project, expressed his gratitude for the funding. Wu stated, “This CEC support marks a major step forward in the development of our technology.” He highlighted the significance of sodium-ion batteries for stationary energy storage applications and thanked the CEC for recognizing their industrial impact.
### Scaling Up Innovation
The new facility aims to prepare UNIGRID for industrial-scale production while fostering innovation in battery technologies. The pilot line will help validate the commercial viability of sodium-ion batteries, proving their readiness for broader adoption in energy storage systems.
By embracing sodium-ion technology, UNIGRID contributes to California’s clean energy goals while helping stabilize global energy storage supply chains. The funding from the CEC ensures that this innovative development will help address the increasing demand for efficient and scalable energy solutions. Through this project, UNIGRID is poised to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving energy market.
The launch of the production line marks a significant milestone for the energy storage ecosystem. As industries and governments seek alternatives to lithium-based batteries, sodium-ion technology is becoming a compelling choice for sustainable and scalable solutions.
This groundbreaking project in San Diego sets the stage for UNIGRID’s long-term growth in renewable energy storage. With enhanced production capabilities and refined technologies, sodium-ion batteries may soon play a vital role in clean energy systems across the globe.
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